Chapter 21: Tide Heat Period

The Demon Beast’s corpse slowly collapsed as the sword light dissipated.

The chubby little dragon phantom hopped around, rummaging through the remains for a while before pulling out a handkerchief to wipe clean the Beast Core. With a flick of its tail tip, it turned around, holding the Beast Core.

“Boss—”

The young man who had been wielding his sword with spirited vigor just moments ago now leaned against a rock, his white robes stained with the cold, sharp scent of blood. He appeared to be in a terrible state—eyes closed, brows tightly furrowed, beads of cold sweat clinging to his forehead.

Luo Qing immediately fell silent, obediently storing away the Beast Core and returning to the sword, quietly staying by his side.

It knew what was happening. The dragon clan possessed powerful bloodlines and exceptional innate talents. Unlike other demons who needed centuries of cultivation to take human form, they could transform into human shape from birth.

Although the dragon clan was rare, their ability to perceive the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was nearly terrifying. This innate gift allowed them to easily reach heights others could never attain through cultivation alone, earning them the title of “Heaven’s Favored Ones.”

But the dragon clan was not without weaknesses.

After reaching adulthood, dragons would experience a period of weakness each year, known as the Tide Heat Period.

During this time, their strength would plummet sharply, accompanied by waves of excruciating pain. They would develop a thirst for blood and a desire to kill, their rationality slipping beyond control.

Only a dragon’s mate could provide comfort during such times. If they went too long without solace, a dragon might even descend into madness.

Luo Qing propped up its chubby little face with a worried expression. But Boss had been married for three years now, and during several Tide Heat Periods, he had never once sought comfort from Sang Ying.

By nature, dragons were creatures of strong desires, doing whatever they wished.

It didn’t understand why Boss wouldn’t tell his wife about this, forcing himself to endure alone. Only when he truly couldn’t hold on any longer would he cling to her briefly while she slept, stubbornly pushing himself to this pitiful state.

When Shen Ying arrived, this was the scene that greeted her.

Demon Beast corpses littered the Abyssal Realm.

The young man sat leaning against a rock, one hand covering his eyes, his entire body stained with blood. Even in sleep, his expression remained tormented.

She paused for a moment, then lifted her skirt and crouched down, quietly watching him. Her gaze flickered with unreadable emotions as she pressed her lips together tightly.

Cold sweat dripped from the young man’s forehead, his brows furrowing tighter.

“Xie Lingyu…”

Shen Ying’s gaze grew distant, her hand lifting almost involuntarily as if to smooth away the deep crease between his brows.

Before her fingertips could touch him, a sword suddenly appeared between them.

The Luoqing Sword Spirit leaped out, spreading both claws protectively in front of the young man. “What are you doing! Don’t touch him!”

“My boss is an outstanding graduate of the 109th Male Virtue Class from Second Street, Qinghe Town Branch of Minghua Mountain! Every single strand of his hair belongs to his wife!”

Shen Ying snapped back to reality and couldn’t help but laugh, poking the chubby little dragon’s belly. “Yes, yes, Guardian of Love, everything belongs to Miss Sang.”

Xie Lingyu was roused by Luo Qing’s commotion. He opened his dark eyes, his cold gaze falling upon Shen Ying.

Shen Ying quickly raised her hands and stepped back. “Hey, hey, I just came to check on your progress, nothing else.”

Her eyes swept over him appraisingly. “My side is settled—I’ve convinced the elders. During the once-in-a-century succession ceremony, the Yaochi Secret Realm will open. But in your current condition, are you sure you can handle it?”

The young man stood up, his expression indifferent. “You only need to fulfill your part of our agreement. The rest is none of your concern.”

With that, he turned and walked deeper into the Abyssal Realm.

Luo Qing was about to follow when it suddenly noticed Shen Ying smiling and beckoning to it with a curled finger.

Luo Qing flew over in confusion, “What is it?”

Shen Ying leaned close to whisper: “…”

Luo Qing: “!!!”

It widened its eyes: “Will that really work?”

Shen Ying patted its little head, “You can give it a try. Even if it fails, there’s no harm done, right? But if it succeeds…”

Luo Qing flew away with a thoughtful expression.

【Target’s current favorability: 0】

【Host, I must remind you again that failure in the mission will result in soul erasure. Please stop slacking off now.】

【Over the past year, you haven’t taken any actions that contribute to the mission. If this continues, I will have to impose penalties.】

【You have ten days to raise the target’s favorability to 10. Failure will result in a half-hour electric shock penalty.】

【Host, host, are you listening?】

The girl kicked a pebble as she walked, humming a disjointed tune, nodding absentmindedly.

“Heard it, heard it, both ears heard it.”

…

Night fell.

Sang Ying went to bed at her usual time, lying on her side on the couch with a pillow in her arms, eyes closed. She appeared to be sleeping soundly but was actually more alert than anyone, intently watching the door and windows for any sign of entry.

She had already given advance notice: as soon as she crushed the Talisman Jade in her hand, the Immortal Alliance disciples stationed nearby would receive the signal and rush in to capture this audacious flower thief.

Sang Ying kept watch until her consciousness began to blur and drowsiness set in. Finally, there was movement at the door.

A faint sound of footsteps.

Sang Ying jolted awake, instantly alert.

This thief was quite bold, daring to enter so openly through the main door.

She watched intently as the door was gently pushed open and then closed. Then, the figure walked toward the inner chamber, gradually revealing themselves from the edge of their robe.

Sang Ying was astonished—Xie Lingyu?!

Why was he back at this hour… Wait, maybe it wasn’t Xie Lingyu but the thief disguised as him!

Thinking this, Sang Ying remained silent, closing her eyes and pretending to sleep, wanting to see if it was truly Xie Lingyu.

With her eyes closed, her hearing sharpened.

The young man’s footsteps were different from usual—heavier and somewhat sluggish, slowly approaching her couch. The edge of the couch dipped slightly as he sat down.

The scent of White Sandalwood on him was unusually strong, almost overwhelming, and faintly mixed with the smell of blood. Sang Ying was particularly sensitive to such odors.

It was as if it had been washed but not completely removed due to its intensity.

Her cheek was lightly touched. The fingertips brushing her skin were scalding hot, unlike the young man’s usual cool temperature.

After a few touches, his palm slowly pressed against her, covering half of her small face, his thumb unconsciously caressing her.

All these unusual and unreasonable signs led Sang Ying to conclude that the person before her was not Xie Lingyu.

How could Xie Lingyu possibly come to her bedside in the middle of the night to touch her face?

So, Sang Ying slapped a Talisman onto his wrist, pinning it down, and suddenly opened her eyes, her gaze sharp: “Audacious thief, prepare to face the Immortal Alliance’s prison—”

The young man before her suddenly collapsed into her arms, his head resting on her shoulder, the overwhelming scent of White Sandalwood filling her embrace. Just as Sang Ying was about to crush the Talisman Jade, she froze, then grew even more furious. “You scoundrel, you lecher, you’re done for!”

She pulled out a stack of Five Thunder Talismans, ready to stick them on him, when a green sword suddenly materialized before her eyes, and a chubby little dragon Sword Spirit emerged from it.

“Have mercy, wifey!”

Sang Ying was taken aback: “Luo Qing?”

Luo Qing nodded repeatedly: “Yes, it’s me.”

The sword was the Luo Qing Sword, which meant the Xie Lingyu before her was the real Xie Lingyu?

Sang Ying was stunned. She turned to look at the young man collapsed in her arms. His eyes were closed, his usually cold brows tightly furrowed. Despite his body burning with fever, cold sweat kept beading on his forehead.

Sang Ying’s own brow furrowed tightly as well. “Luo Qing, what’s wrong with Xie Lingyu? Is he injured?”

The chubby little dragon took a deep breath, then rushed over to hug Sang Ying’s finger, blinking its pitifully large eyes, a single tear hanging at the corner—one it had struggled to squeeze out.

“Wifey, my beautiful, kind-hearted wifey, please save the boss.”

Sang Ying: “…”

She pinched its little dragon horns. “Who’s your wifey?”

Luo Qing looked serious. “The boss’s wifey is my wifey.”

Expressionless, Sang Ying let go of the horns, grabbed the Dragon Tail, and shook it vigorously up and down.

Three minutes later, the little chubby dragon weakly clung to the bedpost, retching as it whimpered pitifully, “Boss Sang Ying, save the boss, the boss is going to die.”

Sang Ying could indeed feel the young man leaning against her—his breath was erratic, his qi and blood were flowing in reverse. If this continued, he was at risk of Qi Deviation.

Her expression turned grave. “What happened? What’s really wrong with him?”

Luo Qing obediently explained the dragon clan’s Tide Heat Period.

The chubby little dragon was both dejected and puzzled. “The boss is just too proud. What’s wrong with asking his wifey for help at a time like this? He insists on toughing it out on his own.”

After listening, Sang Ying clenched her fingers and lowered her gaze.

The Tide Heat Period required a partner’s comfort, but the one he liked was someone else. That’s why he had never sought her out during the Tide Heat Period these past three years.

Sang Ying wanted to ask: Why didn’t he go to Shen Ying?

But before she could voice the question, the answer came to her heart.

Because they were husband and wife now.

Xie Lingyu was an upright person. Although he had married her out of gratitude, aside from not sharing a room with her, he had fulfilled all the duties of a husband well since their marriage.

He voluntarily handed over his monthly salary and mission rewards. Whether he was out or at home, he always considered her safety. For three years after their marriage, he had used his own blood as the medicinal catalyst to make medicine to treat her illness, never missing a dose.

He didn’t love her, but he would do everything a husband should.

Sang Ying thought: Someone like him would never wrong Miss Shen Ying.

As long as she and he were not divorced, he would not be with Shen Ying without proper status.

“How do I comfort him?”

After hearing Luo Qing’s answer, Sang Ying sighed softly and whispered, “I understand.”

Sang Ying raised her hand to untie the bed curtains. Layer by layer, the sheer gauze descended. Within that confined space, the light grew hazy.

She helped the young man lean against one side, untied her own belt, covered his eyes with it, and tied a knot at the back of his head.

Biting her lip, she hesitated for a moment. Seeing his pale face in his unconscious state, she steeled herself and pulled open her collar, letting her outer garment slide down.

She also removed the young man’s clothes in the same manner, leaving him only in a set of snow-white inner garments.

Her shoulders felt cool, clad only in a thin undergarment. Unaccustomed to it, Sang Ying used one hand to cover herself, then double-checked to make sure his eyes were securely bound.

Only after confirming did she slowly reach out and embrace him.

At first, she maintained some distance, but gradually pressed her body fully against him, using her own presence to draw near and envelop him.

She felt the young man in her arms gradually steady his breathing, no longer suffering from reversed qi and blood flow.

Sang Ying let out a sigh of relief, gently patting his back in small motions, her eyes lowered.

“Just bear with it for today. Once we separate, you can go… Ah!”

A sudden sharp pain pierced her chest—the unconscious young man had bitten her through her thin undergarment.

Two seconds later, Sang Ying realized what had happened, her ears burning as if on fire.

…Xie Lingyu, you shameless dragon!!!